Printing apparatus capable of conveying sheets to sheet processing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

A printing apparatus capable of producing a product having the optimum image layout dependent on a discharge destination even when saddle-stitching is canceled due to input of image data for sheets in excess of a limit of a saddle-stitchable number of sheets. The number of output sheets per one copy is calculated based on image data. When the number of output sheets per one copy exceeds a saddle-stitchable number of sheets, it is selected whether to perform the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed without performing the saddle stitching processing thereon or to perform neither the saddle stitching processing nor the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable ofconveying sheets to a sheet processing apparatus, a method ofcontrolling the same, and a storage medium.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there has been known a sheet processing apparatus thatperforms saddle stitching in which after stapling the center of aplurality of sheets, the stapled sheets is folded into two to therebyoutput the sheets in a booklet form (see Japanese Patent Laid-OpenPublication No. 2010-168134). In the sheet processing apparatus, asshown in FIG. 23, sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus aredischarged onto one of stacking trays 101 and 102 and a saddle-stitchedproduct tray 103 according to the type of a finishing process set by auser. For example, when no finishing process is to be performed, thesheets are discharged onto the stacking tray 101. When normal staplingis to be performed, the sheets are discharged onto the stacking tray102, whereas when saddle stitching is to be performed, the sheets aredischarged onto the saddle-stitched product tray 103.

Further, there has also been proposed a sheet processing apparatusconstructed as shown in FIG. 23 such that a conveying path forperforming stapling and a conveying path for performing saddle stitchingare made at least partially common, thereby achieving downsizing of theapparatus. For example, this apparatus employs a method in which whenperforming the saddle stitching, a sheet introduced into the conveyingpath, denoted by reference numeral 104, for performing stapling isswitched back by reverse rotation of a conveying roller pair 106, and isguided into the conveying path, denoted by reference numeral 105, forperforming saddle stitching.

By the way, due to the mechanical limitation of the sheet processingapparatus, there is a limit to the number of sheets on which theapparatus can perform saddle stitching. Conventionally, in view of acase of input of image data for sheets in excess of the number that canbe saddle-stitched, there has also been proposed an image processingapparatus configured to automatically change a discharge destination ofsheets from the sheet processing apparatus, to thereby prevent thesheets from being conveyed to a saddle stitching section (see JapanesePatent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-331730).

However, in the sheet processing apparatus constructed as shown in FIG.23, when image data for sheets in excess of the number that can besaddle-stitched is input, if the discharge destination is automaticallychanged from the saddle-stitched product tray to the stacking tray, itis impossible to obtain a product intended by the user.

Further, when post processing offline is performed after completing onlydischarge of the sheets of a product onto the stacking tray even thoughthe product is not as intended by the user, if the sheets printed withan image layout intended for discharge onto the saddle-stitched producttray are discharged onto the stacking tray, the user is required tomanually change the order of the sheets of the product. The manualoperation is very troublesome for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printingapparatus that is capable of conveying sheets to a sheet processingapparatus that is capable of performing saddle stitching processing andcenter folding processing on the sheets, comprising a printing unitconfigured to print images on sheets, a determination unit configured todetermine whether or not the number of output sheets per one copyexceeds the number of sheets on which the saddle stitching processingcan be executed, and a selection unit configured to, in a case where itis determined by the determination unit that the number of output sheetsper one copy exceeds the number of sheets on which the saddle stitchingprocessing can be executed, select, based on a user's instruction,whether to perform the center folding processing on the sheets on whichimages are printed by the printing unit without performing the saddlestitching processing thereon or to perform neither the saddle stitchingprocessing nor the center folding processing on the sheets on whichimages are printed by the printing unit.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to theattached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a finisher appearing in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an internal structure of the finisher in astate where a recording sheet is nipped by conveying roller pairs.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the internal structure of the finisher in astate where a leading edge of the recording sheet is brought intoabutment with a nip of a skew correction roller pair.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the internal structure of the finisher in astate where the leading edge of the recording sheet is brought intoabutment with a stopper.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the internal structure of the finisher in astate where a recording sheet bundle stapled by a stapler has been moveddownstream in a conveying direction.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the finisher in astate where the recording sheet bundle is being discharged onto asaddle-stitched product tray by a bundle conveying roller pair.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the hardware configuration of a controllerof the printing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the appearance of a console section.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of a standard screen (initialscreen) displayed on a display section.

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayedwhen an “application mode” button is pressed.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an example of a display screen forconfiguring settings for a bookbinding process.

FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for settinga bookbound product as a left-opening bookbound product or aright-opening bookbound product.

FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for settinga sheet size of the body of the bookbound product.

FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of a display screen forconfiguring settings for finishing of the bookbinding process.

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayedafter configuring settings for the bookbinding process.

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing an example of the standard screendisplayed after configuring the settings.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an error pop-up screendisplayed on the display section when a job is interrupted.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams useful in explaining a method of layingout original images on respective pages in a case of discharge ofrecording sheets onto a stacking tray after performing left-openingbookbinding layout processing.

FIGS. 14A to 14C are diagrams useful in explaining a method of layingout original images on respective pages in a case of discharge ofrecording sheets onto a saddle-stitched product tray after performingleft-opening saddle stitching processing.

FIG. 15 is a diagram useful in explaining a method of laying outoriginal images on respective pages in a case of discharge of recordingsheets onto the saddle-stitched product tray after performingleft-opening center folding processing.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams, continued from FIG. 15, which are usefulin explaining the method of laying out the original images on respectivepages in the case of discharge of the recording sheets onto thesaddle-stitched product tray after performing left-opening centerfolding processing.

FIG. 17A is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for settinga front cover.

FIG. 17B is a diagram showing an example of a display screen forselecting a sheet of the front cover.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams useful in explaining a method of layingout original images on respective pages in a case of discharge ofrecording sheets onto the stacking tray after performing bookbindinglayout processing for producing a left-opening bookbound product byattaching a front cover thereto.

FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C are diagrams useful in explaining a method oflaying out original images on respective pages in a case of discharge ofrecording sheets onto the saddle-stitched product tray after performingsaddle stitching processing for producing a left-opening bookboundproduct by attaching a front cover thereto.

FIG. 20 is a diagram useful in explaining a method of laying outoriginal images on respective pages in a case of discharge of recordingsheets onto the saddle-stitched product tray after performing centerfolding processing for producing a left-opening bookbound product byattaching a front cover thereto.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrams, continued from FIG. 20, which are usefulin explaining the method of laying out original images on the respectivepages in the case of discharge of the recording sheets onto thesaddle-stitched product tray by performing center folding processing forproducing the left-opening bookbound product by attaching the frontcover thereto.

FIG. 22A is a flowchart of a bookbinding process performed by a CPU.

FIG. 22B is a continuation of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 22C is a continuation of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a conventional finisher.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail below withreference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments thereof.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, as an example of the printing apparatus, adescription will be given of a multifunction peripheral having aplurality of functions, such as those of a copy machine, a printer, anda facsimile machine. Note that the printing apparatus is not limited toa multifunction peripheral, but it may be an apparatus having a singlefunction.

Referring to FIG. 1, the printing apparatus includes a scanner section301, a document feeder 302, a printer section 313 having four colordrums, a sheet feeding deck 314, and a finisher 315.

First, a reading operation mainly performed by the scanner section 301will be described.

In a case where the reading operation is performed by setting anoriginal on an original platen glass, a user sets the original on theoriginal platen glass, denoted by reference numeral 307, and closes thedocument feeder 302. When an opening/closing sensor detects that thedocument feeder 302 has been closed, and a start button, not shown, ispressed by a user, a reflection-type original size detection sensor (notshown) provided within a casing of the scanner section 301 detects thesize of the set original. After the size of the original is detected,the original is irradiated with light from a light source 310, and thereflected light enters a CCD (Charge Couple Device) 343 via a reflectingplate 311 and a lens 312. The CCD 343 converts the incident light todigital signals, and delivers the digital signals to a controller (seeFIG. 6). The controller converts the received digital signals to laserrecording signals by performing desired image processing, and stores thelaser recording signals in a memory as image data.

In a case where the reading operation is performed by setting anoriginal on the document feeder 302, the user places the original on atray of an original setting section 303 of the document feeder 302 in aface-up state. When the original is placed, the original is detected byan original detection sensor 304. When the controller receives a signalindicative of detection of the original from the original detectionsensor 304 and the start button is pressed by the user, the controllercauses an original feed roller 305 and a conveying belt 306 to berotated to thereby cause the original to be conveyed to a predeterminedposition on the original platen glass 307. When the original is conveyedto the predetermined position, the controller performs an operationsimilar to the above-described reading operation performed on theoriginal platen glass, and stores the obtained image data in the memory(not shown). Then, the original from which the image data has been readis discharged onto an original discharge tray 309 via a conveying roller308.

When a plurality of original sheets are set on the document feeder 302,the controller discharges an original sheet from which the image datahas been read, and simultaneously feeds the next original sheet via theoriginal feed roller 305 to perform an operation for reading the nextoriginal sheet. Thus, the operation for reading the plurality oforiginal sheets is performed.

Next, a printing operation performed by the printer section 313 will bedescribed.

The image data temporarily stored in the memory of the controller istransferred to the printer section 313, and is converted by a laserrecording section to recording laser beams for the respective colors ofyellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Then, the recording laser beams areirradiated onto photosensitive members 316 of the respective colors, andan electrostatic latent image is formed on each photosensitive member316. Then, toner development is performed using toner supplied fromtoner cartridges 317, and the visualized images are sequentiallytransferred by primary transfer onto an intermediate transfer belt 321rotating in a clockwise direction to form a color image thereon. Afterthat, when a recording sheet S fed from one of sheet cassettes 318 orthe sheet feeding deck 314 through a sheet feeding conveying path 319 isconveyed to a secondary transfer position 320, the color image istransferred from the intermediate transfer belt 321 rotating in theclockwise direction onto the recording sheet. The recording sheet onwhich the color image has been transferred has its toner fixed bypressure and heat at a fixing device 322, and is conveyed through adischarge conveying path. Then, the recording sheet is discharged to adischarge port 325 from which the sheet is discharged to the finisher.

In double-sided printing, after the sheet has passed the fixing device322, a flapper 327 switches the conveying path, and then the recordingsheet is switched back and conveyed downward, and is fed to thesecondary transfer position 320 again through a double-sided printingsheet conveying path 330, whereby a double-sided printing operation isachieved.

Next, the operation performed by the finisher 315 will be described.

The finisher 315 additionally performs post processing on recordingsheets according to settings made by the user. More specifically, thefinisher 315 has functions of stapling (one-point/two-point stapling),punching (two/three/four holes), saddle stitching, and so forth. Thearrangement and operation of the finisher 315 will be described withreference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

Referring to FIG. 2, the finisher 315 includes conveying roller pairs 31to 39, leading edge detection sensors 50 and 53, a trailing edgedetection sensor 48, a stapler 42, a thrust plate 43, a stopper 44,folding rollers 45 and 46, and a bundle conveying roller pair 47.

The finisher 315 may be operated by commands from the controller of theprinting apparatus shown in FIG. 1, or may be operated by a controllerof its own.

A recording sheet having passed the discharge port 325 of the printingapparatus side is changed in discharge destination according to aselected one of the functions of copying, printing, facsimile, and soforth, for which settings are made by the user. When the printingapparatus is used as the printer, it is possible to make, using aprinter driver, various settings concerning monochrome print/colorprint, the sheet size, 2-UP/4-UP/N-UP printing, double-sided printing,stapling, punching, saddle stitching, center folding, slip sheet, frontcover, back cover, and so forth.

The recording sheet conveyed from the printing apparatus is dischargedonto one of stacking trays 328 and 329 and a saddle-stitched producttray 331 according to the type of a finishing process set by the user.For example, when no finishing process is performed, the recording sheetis discharged onto the stacking tray 328. When normal stapling is to beperformed, the recording sheet is discharged onto the stacking tray 329,whereas when saddle stitching and center folding, described hereinafter,are to be performed, the recording sheet is discharged onto thesaddle-stitched product tray 331.

Further, the recording sheet conveyed from the printing apparatus isconveyed by the conveying roller pairs 31, 37, and 38 until the trailingedge of the recording sheet comes to the trailing edge detection sensor48. Then, when the trailing edge of the recording sheet is detected bythe trailing edge detection sensor 48, the conveying roller pairs 37 and38 nipping the recording sheet are stopped (see FIG. 3A).

Next, the recording sheet is switched back by reverse rotation of theconveying roller pairs 37 and 38, and is conveyed by the conveyingroller pair 36 until the leading edge of the recording sheet comes tothe leading edge detection sensor 50. Then, when the leading edge of therecording sheet is detected by the leading edge detection sensor 50, theconveying roller pair 36 nipping the recording sheet is reduced inspeed, and the leading edge of the recording sheet is brought intoabutment with a nip of a skew correction roller pair 51 (see FIG. 3B).

Even after the leading edge of the recording sheet has been brought intoabutment with the nip of the skew correction roller pair 51, theconveying roller pair 36 continues rotation for a while. Then, therecording sheet forms a loop in a loop forming space, and then theconveying roller pair 36 is stopped.

Next, the skew correction roller pair 51 starts rotation. If therecording sheet is skewed, skew of the recording sheet is corrected bythe skew correction roller pair 51. Then, the recording sheet subjectedto skew correction is conveyed toward the conveying roller pair 39.After the leading edge of the recording sheet is detected by the leadingedge detection sensor 53, the recording sheet is conveyed from thispoint by a predetermined distance, whereby the leading edge of therecording sheet is brought into abutment with the stopper 44 (see FIG.4A). At this time, as shown in FIG. 4A, the recording sheet ispositioned by the stopper 44 such that a central portion of therecording sheet is at a position for being subjected to stapling by thestapler 42. By repeating the above-described operation, the plurality ofrecording sheets are sequentially conveyed into a conveying path 41.

Then, when all of the recording sheets for forming a bookbound producthave been conveyed into the conveying path 41, the recording sheets arealigned with each other in respect of width direction thereof by widthdirection alignment boards, not shown, whereby a recording sheet bundleis formed within the conveying path 41. In doing this, the recordingsheets are sequentially conveyed into the conveying path 41, startingfrom one corresponding to the innermost sheet of the body of thebookbound product, ending with a recording sheet corresponding to thefront cover of the bookbound product.

Then, if the settings for the finishing process include execution ofsaddle stitching, the stapler 42 executes stapling on the recordingsheet bundle. After the recording sheet bundle is stapled by the stapler42, the stopper 44 supporting the recording sheet bundle is moveddownstream in the conveying direction. Accordingly, the recording sheetbundle is moved downstream in the conveying direction (see FIG. 4B).

The stopper 44 positions the recording sheet bundle such that thecentral portion of the recording sheet bundle comes to a position of thethrust plate 43. Then, a front end of the thrust plate 43 is broughtinto abutment with the central portion, where a fold is to be formed, ofthe recording sheet bundle positioned by the stopper 44, and therecording sheet bundle is pushed into a nip between the folding rollers45 and 46 to thereby form the fold on the recording sheet bundle. Then,the recording sheet bundle having the fold formed by the folding rollers45 and 46 is discharged onto the saddle-stitched product tray 331 by thebundle conveying roller pair 47 (see FIG. 5).

Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of thecontroller of the printing apparatus with reference to FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, a main controller 401 is comprised of a CPU 402, abus controller 403, and various interface controller circuits (notshown).

The CPU 402 and the bus controller 403 controls the overall operation ofthe printing apparatus, and the CPU 402 operates based on a program readfrom a ROM 404 via a ROM interface 405. Further, the operation forinterpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from anexternal PC (not shown) and converting the data to raster image data isalso described in this program, and is processed by software.

The bus controller 403 controls transfer of data input and output viathe respective interfaces, and controls bus arbitration and DMA datatransfer.

A DRAM 406 is connected to the main controller 401 via a DRAM interface407, and is used as a work area for operation of the CPU 402, and anarea for storing image data.

A codec (Codec) 408 compresses raster image data stored in the DRAM 406by MH/MR/MMR/JBIG/JPEG or the like, and decompresses the compressed andstored code data back into raster image data.

An SRAM 409 is used as a temporary work area for the codec 408. Thecodec 408 is connected to the main controller 401 via an interface 410.Data transfer between the codec 408 and the DRAM 406 is controlled bythe bus controller 403 whereby DMA transfer is performed.

A graphic processor (Graphic) 424 performs image rotation, imagescaling, color space conversion, and binarization on the raster imagedata stored in the DRAM 406.

An SRAM 425 is used as a temporary work area for the graphic processor424. The graphic processor 424 is connected to the main controller 401via an interface 450. Data transfer between the graphic processor 424and the DRAM 406 is controlled by the bus controller 403, whereby DMAtransfer is performed.

A network controller 411 is connected to the main controller 401 via aninterface 413, and is connected to an external network via a connector412. As the network, in general, there may be mentioned an Ethernet(registered trademark) network. Reception of print data from an externalPC, not shown, is controlled by the network controller 411, and theprint data is sent to the CPU 402. The CPU 402 stores the received printdata in the DRAM 406 or an HD (hard disk) 440, and processes the data.

Connected to a general-purpose high-speed bus 415 are an extensionconnector 414 and an I/O controller 416. In the present embodiment,transmission and reception of a command to and from the finisher 315 areperformed via the general-purpose high-speed bus 415.

The I/O controller 416 is equipped with a two-channel start-stopsynchronization serial communication controller 417 for transmitting andreceiving control commands to and from CPUs of the scanner section 301and the printer section 313. The I/O controller 416 is connected to ascanner interface 426 and a printer interface 430 via an I/O bus 418.

A panel interface 421 is connected to an LCD controller 420, and iscomprised of an interface for performing display on a liquid crystaldisplay on a console section 501 shown in FIG. 7, and a key inputinterface for performing input from hard keys and touch panel keys.

The console section 501 shown in FIG. 7 is comprised of a liquid crystaldisplay section, a touch panel input device mounted on the liquidcrystal display section, and a plurality of hard keys. Signals input viathe touch panel or the hard keys are transmitted to the CPU 402 via theabove-mentioned panel interface 421. The liquid crystal display sectiondisplays image data sent via the panel interface 421. The liquid crystaldisplay section displays functions of operation of the printingapparatus, image data, and so on. Details of the console section 501will be described hereinafter.

A real-time clock module 422 is for updating/storing a date and timemanaged within the apparatus, and is backed up by a backup battery 423.

An E-IDE interface 439 is for connecting an external storage device tothe printing apparatus. In the present embodiment, the CPU 402 isconnected to a hard disk drive (HDD) 438 via the E-IDE interface 439 tocause image data to be stored in the HD 440 and to be read therefrom.Connectors 427 and 432 are connected to the scanner section 301 and theprinter section 313, respectively, and include start-stopsynchronization serial interfaces 428 and 433 and video interfaces 429and 434, respectively.

The scanner interface 426 is connected to the scanner section 301 viathe connector 427, and is also connected to the main controller 401 viaa scanner bus 441. The scanner interface 426 has a function ofperforming predetermined processing on image data received from thescanner section 301. The scanner interface 426 also has a function ofoutputting a control signal generated based on a video control signalreceived from the scanner section 301 to the scanner bus 441. Datatransfer from the scanner bus 441 to the DRAM 406 is controlled by thebus controller 403.

The printer interface 430 is connected to the printer section 313 viathe connector 432, and is also connected to the main controller 401 viaa printer bus 431. The printer interface 430 has a function ofperforming predetermined processing on image data output from the maincontroller 401, and outputting the processed image data to the printersection 313. The printer interface 430 also has a function of outputtinga control signal generated based on a video control signal received fromthe printer section 313 to the printer bus 431. Transfer of raster imagedata loaded in the DRAM 406 to the printer section 313 is controlled bythe bus controller 403, whereby DMA transfer of the raster image data tothe printer section 313 via the printer bus 431 and the video interface434 is performed.

An SRAM 436 is a memory configured to be capable of holding storedcontents by power supplied from a backup battery even after the wholeapparatus is powered off, and is connected to the I/O controller via abus 435. An EEPROM 437 is also a memory similarly connected to the I/Ocontroller via the bus 435.

Next, the console section 501 will be described with reference to FIG.7.

A user makes various print settings via the console section 501. A resetkey 502 is used for canceling settings or the like made by the user. Astop key 503 is used for interrupting a job being in operation. Ten keys504 are used for inputting a numeric value.

A display section 505 that is formed by integrating the touch panel andthe liquid crystal display section displays various screens on theliquid crystal display section based on instructions from the CPU 402,and receives instructions from the user via the touch panel. A start key506 is used for starting a job, such as reading of an original. A clearkey 507 is used for clearing the settings or the like. A lamp 508 is litduring execution of a job, occurrence of an error in the printingapparatus or the finisher 315, or the like, to thereby notify the userof a state of the apparatus.

Next, screens displayed on the display section 505 of the consolesection 501 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 12.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of a standard screen (initialscreen) displayed on the display section 505.

Tabs displayed in an upper portion of the screen are used for selectingvarious functions which can be performed by the printing apparatus. Thetabs indicate a copy function (simple), a copy function (quick), atransmission/facsimile function, and a box function, from left to rightin the mentioned order.

The copy function (simple) and the copy function (quick), denoted byreference numerals 801 and 802, respectively, are functions of printingimage data of an original read by the scanner section 301, using theprinter section 313, and performing a finishing process, such asstapling and saddle stitching, as required. The user can make settingson the copy function in a state where the copy function (simple) 801 orthe copy function (quick) 802 has been selected. Note that the copyfunction (quick) 802 is a function which enables more settings to bemade on a single screen than the copy function (simple) 801.

The transmission/facsimile function, denoted by reference numeral 803,is a transmission function including FAX transmission, E-mailtransmission, and transmission to a file server.

The box function, denoted by reference numeral 804, is a function ofstoring image data read by the scanner section 301 in the HD 440, ormanipulating and printing data stored in the HD 440.

When each tab of the above-described functions is selected, there isdisplayed an associated screen on which detailed settings of theselected function can be configured. The screen illustrated in FIG. 8Ais a copy setting screen displayed in a state where the copy function(simple) 801 has been selected, and is used for receiving varioussettings associated with copying from the user. The copy setting screenillustrated in FIG. 8A includes a button for selecting between colorcopy, monochrome copy, and automatic selection, a button for designatingsingle-sided copying or double-sided copying, a button for designating acopy magnification, buttons for performing finishing process, and so on.Two buttons are provided as the buttons for performing the finishingprocess. One is a “finishing” button 805. The “finishing” button 805 isa button for displaying a screen for receiving settings for performingstapling of ends of recording sheets by a stapler. The other is an“application mode” button 806. The “application mode” button 806 is abutton for displaying a screen for receiving settings for performing thefinishing process, such as saddle stitching and center folding, usingthe finisher 315 connected to the printing apparatus.

When the user desires to obtain a bookbound product on which saddlestitching and center folding are performed, the user makes settings viathe screens shown in FIGS. 8A to 11B to cause the printing apparatus andthe finisher 315 to perform the bookbinding process. Note that the term“the bookbinding process” in the present embodiment is intended to meana process including saddle stitching for saddle stitching the recordingsheets and center folding for folding the central portion of therecording sheets.

When the settings for performing the bookbinding process are made by theuser, the printing apparatus generates images laid out based on thesettings for pages to be printed, and executes printing according to thegenerated images. Then, the finisher 315 performs an appropriatefinishing process based on the settings.

To make settings for the finishing process, in the first place, the userpresses the “application mode” button 806 on the screen shown in FIG.8A. When the “application mode” button 806 is pressed, a screen shown inFIG. 8B is displayed on the display section 505. Then, by pressing a“bookbinding” button 807 on the screen shown in FIG. 8B, a screen forconfiguring the settings for the bookbinding process as shown in FIG. 9Ais displayed. The user designates the size of originals to be read bythe scanner section 301 via the screen shown in FIG. 9A. In theillustrated example in FIG. 9A, the A4 size is set as the size oforiginals. Then, when a “next” button 901 appearing in FIG. 9A ispressed, a screen shown in FIG. 9B is displayed. The user sets via thescreen shown in FIG. 9B whether the bookbound product is to be aleft-opening bookbound product which is bound so as to be read byturning pages from right to left or to be a right-opening bookboundproduct which is bound so as to be read by turning pages from left toright. Then, when a “next” button 902 on the screen shown in FIG. 9B ispressed, a screen shown in FIG. 10A is displayed. The user selects thesheet size of the body of the bookbound product via the screen shown inFIG. 10A. Further, the user is also capable of setting whether or not toattach a front cover to the bookbound product via the screen shown inFIG. 10A. The function of attaching a front cover to a bookbound productwill be described hereinafter.

When a “next” button 1001 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 10A, ascreen shown in FIG. 10B is displayed. The screen shown in FIG. 10B is ascreen for configuring settings for finishing of the bookbound product.The bookbound product is finished in the following three forms:

-   -   Form 1: saddle-stitched (saddle stitching is performed)    -   Form 2: saddle-folded (center folding is performed)    -   Form 3: non-saddle-stitched (bookbinding layout processing is        performed)

In the case of Form 1, recording sheets printed by the printingapparatus are conveyed to the finisher 315, and are accumulated on thestopper 44 at a position indicated in FIG. 4A within the finisher 315.Then, when a predetermined number of printed recording sheets areaccumulated, stapling of the center of the recording sheets by thestapler 42 is performed. After that, the recording sheets subjected tostapling are folded into two by the thrust plate 43 and the foldingrollers 45 and 46. Then, the recording sheets are conveyed by the bundleconveying roller pair 47 and are discharged onto the saddle-stitchedproduct tray 331.

In the case of Form 2, recording sheets printed by the printingapparatus are conveyed to the finisher 315, and are accumulated on thestopper 44 at the position indicated in FIG. 4A within the finisher 315.Then, when a predetermined number of printed recording sheets areaccumulated, the recording sheets are folded into two by the thrustplate 43 and the folding rollers 45 and 46. The recording sheets areconveyed by the bundle conveying roller pair 47 and are discharged ontothe saddle-stitched product tray 331. In this case, stapling is notperformed.

In the case of Form 3, although images on the respective pages arearranged according to the bookbinding layout, the recording sheets aredischarged without performing either stapling or folding. In this case,the recording sheets are discharged not onto the saddle-stitched producttray 331, but onto the stacking tray 328.

When settings for finishing of the bookbound product are made and an“OK” button 1002 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 10B, a screenshown in FIG. 11A is displayed. In doing this, the CPU 402 displays thesettings received via the screens shown in FIGS. 9A to 10B and stored inthe DRAM 406 on the screen. Then, when a “close” button 1101 is pressedon the screen shown in FIG. 11A, the CPU 402 displays a screen shown inFIG. 11B.

If the start key 506 is pressed in a state where the screen shown inFIG. 11B is displayed, the CPU 402 starts to cause the scanner section301 to perform an original reading operation and the printer section 313to perform a printing operation, according to the settings stored in theDRAM 406.

By performing the above-described operations, the user can obtainbookbound products on which saddle stitching, center folding or the likehas been performed.

However, the number of recording sheets processable at a time is limiteddepending on the capabilities of the finisher 315 (capability ofstapling recording sheets and capability of folding recording sheets).For example, the folding rollers 45 and 46 can fold only twenty-fiverecording sheets at a time. To cope with this limitation, in the presentembodiment, if the number of recording sheets required to have imagesprinted thereon for saddle stitching is larger than 25, the CPU 402interrupts job processing, and displays an error pop-up shown in FIG. 12on the display section 505.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the error pop-up displayed onthe display section 505 when a job is interrupted.

The error pop-up shown in FIG. 12 receives from the user an instructionfor an operation to be performed in a case where the number of recordingsheets required to have images printed thereon for saddle stitchingexceeds 25. The error pop-up shown in FIG. 12 includes a “stop” button1201, a “discharge to processing tray” button 1202, and a “discharge tostacking tray” button 1203. The “stop” button 1201 is a button forforcibly terminating the job. The “discharge to processing tray” button1202 is a button for performing center folding and discharging thesheets onto the saddle-stitched product tray 331 without performingstapling. The “discharge to stacking tray” button 1203 is a button forperforming bookbinding layout processing for recording sheets anddischarging the sheets onto the stacking tray 328 without performingeither stapling or folding.

Further, also in a case where center folding is to be performed, sincethe folding rollers 45 and 46 are capable of folding only twenty-fiverecording sheets at a time, job processing is interrupted when thenumber of recording sheets exceeds the upper limit of the number ofsheets processable at a time. In the case of execution of centerfolding, the folded recording sheets are conveyed by the bundleconveying roller pair 47 without being stapled. Therefore, there is apossibility that any of the recording sheets are displaced during beingconveyed, causing a jam. To cope with, in the present embodiment, in thecase of execution of center folding of the recording sheets, even thoughthe finisher 315 is capable of folding maximum twenty-five sheets at atime, the CPU 402 causes each bundle of five sheets to be subjected tocenter folding and then be discharged. This makes it possible to stablyconvey the folded recording sheets, and thereby reduce possibility ofoccurrence of a jam.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16, ofimage layouts and results of printing, in a case of execution ofbookbinding layout processing and discharge of recording sheets onto thestacking tray 328, and in a case of execution of saddle stitching andcenter folding and discharge of recording sheets onto thesaddle-stitched product tray 331.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams useful in explaining a method of layingout original images on the respective pages in the case of execution ofbookbinding layout processing for a left-opening bookbound product anddischarge of recording sheets onto the stacking tray 328.

In the case of discharge of recording sheets onto the stacking tray 328,images on the respective pages of the original, denoted by referencenumeral 1301, are laid out as denoted by reference numeral 1302 in theDRAM 406 and held therein. Then, when the layout of the images iscompleted, the images are printed in the order from images to be printedon a sheet corresponding to the outermost sheet of the bookbound productto images to be printed on a sheet corresponding to the innermost sheet.When the images are laid out as denoted by reference numeral 1302 inFIG. 13A, the CPU 402 causes page printing to be performed in the orderof a front side of a first sheet, a reverse side of the first sheet, afront side of a second sheet, a reverse side of the second sheet, afront side of a third sheet, and a reverse side of the third sheet.Further, the CPU 402 causes the conveying roller pairs 31 to 35 todischarge the printed recording sheets onto the stacking tray 328. FIG.13B shows a result of discharge of the printed recording sheets on thestacking tray 328.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams useful in explaining a method of layingout original images on the respective pages in the case of execution ofsaddle stitching processing for a left-opening bookbound product anddischarge of recording sheets onto the saddle-stitched product tray 331.

In the case of discharge of recording sheets onto the saddle-stitchedproduct tray 331 after saddle stitching processing, the images on therespective pages of the original 1301 are laid out as denoted byreference numeral 1402 in the DRAM 406 and held therein. Then, when thelayout of the images is completed, the images are printed in the orderfrom images to be printed on a sheet corresponding to the innermostsheet of the bookbound product to images to be printed on a sheetcorresponding to the outermost sheet. When the images are laid out asdenoted by reference numeral 1402 in FIG. 14A, the CPU 402 causes pageprinting to be performed in the order of a front side of a first sheet,a reverse side of the first sheet, a front side of a second sheet, areverse side of the second sheet, a front side of a third sheet, and areverse side of the third sheet. Further, after causing the conveyingroller pairs 31, 37, and 38 to convey each printed recording sheet untilthe trailing edge of the recording sheet comes to the trailing edgedetection sensor 48, the CPU 402 causes the recording sheet to beswitched back by reverse rotation of the conveying roller pairs 37 and38 and be conveyed to the conveying path 41, such that the recordingsheets are sequentially accumulated therein (see FIG. 14B). Then, afterexecution of stapling, folding is performed, and the printed recordingsheets are discharged onto the saddle-stitched product tray 331. FIG.14C shows a result of discharge of the printed recording sheets on thesaddle-stitched product tray 331.

On the other hand, by pressing a “saddle-folding” button 1003 on thescreen shown in FIG. 10B, the user can select the function of centerfolding processing for performing only folding of printed sheets withoutstapling the same, and then discharging the same.

FIGS. 15, 16A, and 16B are diagrams useful in explaining a method oflaying out original images on the respective pages in the case ofexecution of center folding processing for a left-opening bookboundproduct and discharge of recording sheets onto the saddle-stitchedproduct tray 331.

In the case of discharge of recording sheets onto the saddle-stitchedproduct tray 331 after center folding processing, images on therespective pages of the original, denoted by reference numeral 1501, arelaid out as denoted by reference numeral 1502 in the DRAM 406 and heldtherein. Then, when the layout of the images is completed, the imagesare printed in the order from images to be printed on a sheetcorresponding to the innermost sheet of the bookbound product to imagesto be printed on a sheet corresponding to the outermost sheet. When theimages are laid out as denoted by reference numeral 1502 in FIG. 15, theCPU 402 causes page printing to be performed in the order of a frontside of a first sheet, a reverse side of the first sheet, a front sideof a second sheet, a reverse side of the second sheet, a front side of athird sheet, a reverse side of the third sheet, and so on. Further,after causing the conveying roller pairs 31, 37, and 38 to convey eachprinted recording sheet until the trailing edge of the recording sheetcomes to the trailing edge detection sensor 48, the CPU 402 causes therecording sheet to be switched back by reverse rotation of the conveyingroller pairs 37 and 38 and be conveyed to the conveying path 41 suchthat the recording sheets are sequentially accumulated therein (see FIG.16A). In doing this, if the number of recording sheets included in oneset is larger than five, folding is performed on each bundle of fivesheets accumulated in the conveying path 41, and the bundle of fivefolded sheets is discharged onto the saddle-stitched product tray 331.FIG. 16B shows respective results of discharge of bundles of printedrecording sheets onto the saddle-stitched product tray 331. The user canobtain a bookbound product by combining the bundles of printed recordingsheets afterwards such that a precedingly discharged bundle of printedrecording sheets receives a subsequently discharged bundle of printedrecording sheets at the center thereof in a sandwiching manner.

On the other hand, during configuration of the bookbinding process usingthe screens shown in FIGS. 8B to 11A, the user can press an “attachfront cover” button 1004 on the screen shown in FIG. 10A to thereby makea setting of using the function of attaching the front cover to abookbound product. For example, when the “next” button 1001 on thescreen shown in FIG. 10A is pressed in a state where the “attach frontcover” button 1004 has been selected, a screen shown in FIG. 17A isdisplayed. The user can set, via the screen shown in FIG. 17A, on whichside of the cover the image is to be printed. On this screen, thesetting of “copy” or “not copy” is received for each of a front side ofa front cover, a reverse side of the front cover, a front side of a backcover, and a reverse side of the back cover. Then, when a “next” button1701 on the screen shown in FIG. 17A is pressed, a screen shown in FIG.17B is displayed. The user selects a sheet size of the front cover ofthe bookbound product via the screen shown in FIG. 17B. Then, when a“next” button 1702 on the screen shown in FIG. 17B is pressed, thescreen shown in FIG. 10B is displayed.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams useful in explaining a method of layingout original images on the respective pages in a case of discharge ofrecording sheets onto the stacking tray 328 after executing bookbindinglayout processing for producing a left-opening bookbound product byattaching a front cover thereto.

In the case of discharge of the recording sheets onto the stacking tray328, images on the respective pages of the original, denoted byreference numeral 1801, are laid out as denoted by reference numeral1802 and held therein. Then, when the layout of the images is completed,the images are printed in the order of images to be printed on a sheetcorresponding to the front cover of the bookbound product to images tobe printed on sheets corresponding to the body of the bookbound product.When the images are laid out as denoted by reference numeral 1802 inFIG. 18, the CPU 402 causes page printing to be performed on a reverseside of a first sheet (front cover) first. Then, the CPU 402 causes pageprinting to be performed in the order of a front side of a second sheet(body), a reverse side of the second sheet (body), a front side of athird sheet (body), a reverse side of the third sheet (body), a frontside of a fourth sheet (body), and a reverse side of the fourth sheet(body). Further, the CPU 402 causes the conveying roller pairs 31 to 35to discharge the printed recording sheets onto the stacking tray 328.FIG. 18B shows a result of discharge of the printed recording sheets onthe stacking tray 328.

FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C are diagrams useful in explaining a method oflaying out original images on the respective pages in a case ofdischarge of recording sheets onto the saddle-stitched product tray 331after saddle stitching processing for producing a left-opening bookboundproduct by attaching a front cover thereto.

In the case of discharge of recording sheets onto the saddle-stitchedproduct tray 331 after saddle stitching processing, images on therespective pages of the original, denoted by reference numeral 1901, arelaid out as denoted by reference numeral 1902 in the DRAM 406 and heldtherein. Then, when the layout of the images is completed, the imagesare printed in the order of images to be printed on sheets correspondingto the body of the bookbound product to images to be printed on a sheetcorresponding to the front cover of the bookbound product. When theimages are laid out as denoted by reference numeral 1902 in FIG. 19A,the CPU 402 causes page printing to be performed in the order of a frontside of a first sheet (body), a reverse side of the first sheet (body),a front side of a second sheet (body), a reverse side of the secondsheet (body), a front side of a third sheet (body), and a reverse sideof the third sheet (body). Then, finally, the CPU 402 causes pageprinting to be performed on a reverse side of a fourth sheet (frontcover). Further, after causing the conveying roller pairs 31, 37, and 38to convey each printed recording sheet until the trailing edge of therecording sheet comes to the trailing edge detection sensor 48, the CPU402 caused the recording sheet to be switched back by reverse rotationof the conveying roller pairs 37 and 38 and be conveyed to the conveyingpath 41 such that the printed recording sheets are sequentiallyaccumulated therein (see FIG. 19B). Then, folding is performed afterstapling the sheets, and the folded sheets are discharged onto thesaddle-stitched product tray 331. FIG. 19C shows a result of dischargeof the printed recording sheets onto the saddle-stitched product tray331.

FIGS. 20, 21A, and 21B are diagrams useful in explaining a method oflaying out original images on the respective pages in a case ofdischarge of recording sheets onto the saddle-stitched product tray 331after performing center-folding processing for producing a left-openingbookbound product by attaching a front cover thereto.

In the case of discharge of the recording sheets onto thesaddle-stitched product tray 331 after center-folding processing, imageson the respective pages of the original, denoted by reference numeral2001, are laid out as denoted by reference numeral 2002 in the DRAM 406and held therein. Then, when the layout of the images is completed, theimages are printed in the order from images to be printed on sheetscorresponding to the body of the bookbound product to images to beprinted on a sheet corresponding to the front cover of the bookboundproduct. When the images are laid out as denoted by reference numeral2002 in FIG. 20, the CPU 402 causes page printing to be performed in theorder of a front side of a first sheet (body), a reverse side of thefirst sheet (body), a front side of a second sheet (body), a reverseside of the second sheet (body), a front side of a third sheet (body), areverse side of the third sheet (body), and so on. Then, finally, theCPU 402 causes page printing to be performed on a reverse side of atenth sheet (front cover). Further, after causing the conveying rollerpairs 31, 37, and 38 to convey each printed recording sheet until thetrailing edge of the recording sheet reaches the trailing edge detectionsensor 48, the CPU 402 causes the printed recording sheet to be switchedback by reverse rotation of the conveying roller pairs 37 and 38 and beconveyed to the conveying path 41 such that the printed recording sheetsare sequentially accumulated therein (see FIG. 21A). In doing this, ifthe number of recording sheets included in one set is larger than five,folding is performed on each bundle of five sheets accumulated in theconveying path 41, and the bundle of five folded sheets is dischargedonto the saddle-stitched product tray 331. FIG. 21B shows respectiveresults of discharge of bundles of printed recording sheets onto thesaddle-stitched product tray 331.

Next, a description will be given of a bookbinding process performed bythe CPU 402 in the present embodiment with reference to FIGS. 22A, 22B,and 22C. Note that the CPU 402 executes the steps of the bookbindingprocess in FIGS. 22A, 22B, and 22C by executing the program stored inthe ROM 404.

First, the CPU 402 starts the process upon receipt of a job executionrequest provided by pressing the start key 506. For example, when theCPU 402 receives a request for execution of a copy job for printingimages of originals by the printer section 313, which is read by thescanner section 301, the CPU 402 causes the images of the originals tobe printed after laying out the same, and performs the illustratedprocessing on the printed recording sheets. Further, when the CPU 402receives a request for execution of a print job for printing imagesreceived from an external PC by the printer section 313, the CPU 402causes the images received from the PC to be printed after laying outthe same and performs the illustrated processing on the printedrecording sheet.

In a step S5001, the CPU 402 determines whether or not bookbinding isdesignated. If it is determined that bookbinding is designated, theprocess proceeds to a step S5004, whereas if not, the process proceedsto a step S5002.

In the step S5002, the CPU 402 determines that the discharge destinationis the stacking tray 328, and the process proceeds to a step S5003.Then, in the step S5003, the CPU 402 causes normal print processing tobe performed based on settings other than those for the bookbindingprocess, received from the user. This corresponds, for example, to acase where printing is performed by the printing apparatus and recordingsheets are discharged without performing post-processing by the finisher315.

On the other hand, in the case where the process proceeds to the stepS5004, the CPU 402 determines whether or not saddle stitching isdesignated. If it is determined that saddle stitching is designated, theprocess proceeds to a step S5005, whereas if not, the process proceedsto a step S5045 in FIG. 22C.

In the step S5045, the CPU 402 determines whether or not center foldingis designated. If it is determined that center folding is designated,the process proceeds to a step S5024 in FIG. 22B, whereas if not, theprocess proceeds to a step S5037.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S5004 in FIG. 22Athat saddle stitching is designated, i.e. if the process proceeds to thestep S5005, the CPU 402 calculates the number of output sheets per onecopy, and the process proceeds to a step S5006. When the images of twopages are laid out in one page as shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, the numberof output sheets per one copy is calculated by a calculation formula of(total number of pages +3)/4.

In the step S5006, the CPU 402 determines whether or not the number ofoutput sheets per one copy is larger than a saddle-stitchable number ofsheets by the finisher 315. If it is determined that the number ofoutput sheets per one copy is larger than the saddle-stitchable number,the process proceeds to a step S5018 in FIG. 22B, whereas if not, theprocess proceeds to a step S5007.

In the step S5007, the CPU 402 determines that the discharge destinationis the saddle-stitched product tray 331, and the process proceeds to astep S5008.

In the step S5008, the CPU 402 determines whether or not attachment ofthe front cover is designated. If it is determined that attachment ofthe front cover is designated, the process proceeds to a step S5009,whereas if not, the process proceeds to a step S5010.

In the step S5009, the CPU 402 lays out pages in a manner shown in FIGS.19A to 19C, and the process proceeds to a step S5011.

In the step S5011, the CPU 402 performs image formation processing onthe sheets corresponding to the body, and the process proceeds to a stepS5012.

In the step S5012, the CPU 402 causes the conveying roller pairs 37 and38 to switch back each of sheets corresponding to the body, and thencauses the sheets to be sequentially accumulated within the conveyingpath 41.

In a step S5013, the CPU 402 performs image formation processing on asheet corresponding to the front cover, and the process proceeds to astep S5014.

In the step S5014, the CPU 402 causes the conveying roller pairs 37 and38 to switch back the sheet corresponding to the front cover, and thencauses the sheet to be accumulated within the conveying path 41.

In a step S5015, after causing stapling of the sheet bundle accumulatedin the conveying path 41 to be performed, the CPU 402 causes folding ofthe same to be performed and causes the sheet bundle to be dischargedonto the saddle-stitched product tray 331.

On the other hand, if the process proceeds to the step S5010, the CPU402 lays out pages in a manner shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, and theprocess proceeds to a step S5016. In the step S5016, the CPU 402performs image formation processing on the sheets corresponding to thebody, and the process proceeds to a step S5017.

In the step S5017, after causing the conveying roller pairs 37 and 38 toswitch back each of sheets corresponding to the body, the CPU 402 causesthe sheets to be sequentially accumulated within the conveying path 41,and the process proceeds to the step S5015.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S5006 that the numberof output sheets per one copy is larger than the saddle-stitchablenumber of sheets by the finisher 315 and the process proceeds to thestep S5018 in FIG. 22B, the CPU 402 causes the processing to beinterrupted and the error pop-up shown in FIG. 12 to be displayed on thedisplay section 505, whereafter the process proceeds to a step S5019. Inthe step S5019, the CPU 402 determines whether or not the “stop” button1201 on the error pop-up shown in FIG. 12 is pressed. If it isdetermined that the “stop” button 1201 is pressed, the process proceedsto a step S5020, whereas if not, the process proceeds to a step S5022.

In the step S5020, the CPU 402 causes the error pop-up shown in FIG. 12to be hidden, and the process proceeds to a step S5021.

In the step S5021, the CPU 402 executes processing for forciblyterminating the job, followed by terminating the present process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S5019 that the “stop”button 1201 is not pressed, the process proceeds to the step S5022,wherein the CPU 402 determines whether or not the “discharge toprocessing tray” button 1202 on the error pop-up shown in FIG. 12 ispressed. If it is determined that the “discharge to processing tray”button 1202 is pressed, the process proceeds to a step S5023, whereas ifnot, the process proceeds to a step S5035 in FIG. 22C.

In the step S5023, the CPU 402 causes the error pop-up shown in FIG. 12to be hidden, and the process proceeds to the step S5024.

In the step S5024, the CPU 402 determines that the discharge destinationis the saddle-stitched product tray 331, and the process proceeds to astep S5025.

In the step S5025, the CPU 402 determines whether or not attachment ofthe front cover is designated. If it is determined that attachment ofthe front cover is designated, the process proceeds to a step S5026,whereas if not, the process proceeds to a step S5027.

In the step S5026, the CPU 402 lays out pages in a manner shown in FIGS.20, 21A, and 21B, and the process proceeds to a step S5028.

In the step S5028, the CPU 402 performs image formation processing onthe sheets corresponding to the body, and the process proceeds to a stepS5029.

In the step S5029, the CPU 402 causes the conveying roller pairs 37 and38 to switch back each of the sheets corresponding to the body, and thencauses the sheets to be sequentially accumulated within the conveyingpath 41.

In a step S5030, the CPU 402 performs image formation processing on thesheet corresponding to the front cover, and the process proceeds to astep S5031.

In the step S5031, the CPU 402 causes the conveying roller pairs 37 and38 to switch back the sheet corresponding to the front cover, and thencauses the sheet to be accumulated within the conveying path 41.

In the following step S5032, the CPU 402 causes folding of each bundleof five sheets accumulated in the conveying path 41 to be folded, andcauses the bundle to be discharged onto the saddle-stitched product tray331. Note that processing from the step S5028 to the step S5032 isillustrated in a simplified manner. In actuality, whenever five sheetson which image formation has been performed, including the front cover,are discharged and accumulated within the conveying path 41, folding ofthe bundle of the five sheets is executed in the step S5032. Therefore,as for up to the second last bundle of five sheets, the steps S5028,S5029, and S5032 are executed in the mentioned order, and as for thelast bundle of not more than five sheets including the front cover, thesteps S5030, S5031, and S5032 are executed in the mentioned order afterthe steps S5028 and S5029 are executed, as required.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S5025 that attachmentof the front cover is not designated and the process proceeds to thestep S5027, the CPU 402 lays out pages in a manner shown in FIGS. 15,16A, and 16B, and the process proceeds to a step S5033. In the stepS5033, the CPU 402 performs image formation processing on the sheetscorresponding to the body, and the process proceeds to a step S5034.

In the step S5034, after causing the conveying roller pairs 37 and 38 toswitch back each of the sheets corresponding to the body, the CPU 402causes the sheets to be sequentially accumulated within the conveyingpath 41, and whenever each bundle of five sheets are accumulated withinthe conveying path 41, the process proceeds to the step S5032.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S5022 that the“discharge to processing tray” button 1202 is not pressed and theprocess proceeds to the step S5035 in FIG. 22C, the CPU 402 determineswhether or not the “discharge to stacking tray” button 1203 on the errorpop-up shown in FIG. 12 is pressed. If it is determined that the“discharge to stacking tray” button 1203 is pressed, the processproceeds to a step S5036, whereas if not, the process returns to thestep S5019. In the step S5036, the CPU 402 causes the error pop-up shownin FIG. 12 to be hidden, and the process proceeds to the step S5037.

In the step S5037, the CPU 402 determines that the discharge destinationis the stacking tray 328, and the process proceeds to a step S5038.

In the step S5038, the CPU 402 determines whether or not attachment ofthe front cover is designated. If it is determined that attachment ofthe front cover is designated, the process proceeds to a step S5039,whereas if not, the process proceeds to a step S5040.

In the step S5039, the CPU 402 lays out pages in a manner shown in FIGS.18A and 18B, and the process proceeds to a step S5041.

In the step S5041, the CPU 402 performs image formation processing onthe sheet corresponding to the front cover, and the process proceeds toa step S5042.

In the step S5042, the CPU 402 causes the conveying roller pairs todischarge the sheet corresponding to the front cover without performingstapling or folding, and the process proceeds to a step S5043. In thiscase, the front cover is discharged not onto the saddle-stitched producttray 331, but onto the stacking tray 328.

On the other hand, if the process proceeds to the step S5040, the CPU402 lays out pages in a manner shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, and theprocess proceeds to the step S5043. In the step S5043, the CPU 402performs image formation processing on the sheets corresponding to thebody, and proceeds to a step S5044.

In the step S5044, the CPU 402 causes the conveying roller pairs todischarge each of the sheets corresponding to the body onto the stackingtray 328 without performing stapling or folding.

The described-above control of the order of image formation provides thefollowing advantageous effects: In the case where the number of outputsheets per one copy is larger than the number of sheets that can besaddle-stitched by the sheet processing apparatus equipped with theswitch-back mechanism, the user can flexibly select whether to stopprinting, or cancel only stapling, or cancel both stapling and folding,as intended by the user.

Further, in both cases where only stapling is canceled and where bothstapling and folding are canceled, it is possible to obtain a producthaving the optimum image layout, which improves the convenience of theuser.

Although the description has been given of the case where thesaddle-stitchable number of sheets by the finisher 315 is twenty-five,the saddle-stitchable number is not limited to twenty-five.

Further, although in the above-described embodiment, the description hasbeen given of the case where folding is performed on each bundle of fivesheets, and the bundle of five sheets is discharged onto thesaddle-stitched product tray 331, the number of sheets processed at atime is not limited to five.

Further, although in the above-described embodiment, the description hasbeen given of the method of laying out original images on respectivepages for producing a left-opening bookbound product, the bookboundproduct to be produced is not limited to the left-opening bookboundproduct.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andperforming the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2014-076178 filed Apr. 2, 2014, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A printing apparatus that is connectable to apost-processing apparatus capable of performing a saddle-stitchingprocess, the printing apparatus comprising: an image forming deviceconfigured to form one or more images on a plurality of recording sheetsincluding a cover sheet and a body sheet; a conveying portion configuredto convey the plurality of recording sheets, on which the one or moreimages are formed by the image forming device, to the post-processingapparatus; and a controller configured to control at least the imageforming device and the post-processing apparatus, wherein the controlleris configured: in a case in which a job is received for which thesaddle-stitching process is designated, to determine whether or not anumber of recording sheets per one set is larger than an upper limit ofa number of sheets for the saddle-stitching process; in a case in whichit is determined that the number of recording sheets per one set is notlarger than the upper limit of the number of sheets for thesaddle-stitching process, to control an image forming order so thatimage formation is performed lastly for the cover sheet, and to controlthe post-processing apparatus to perform the saddle-stitching process onthe plurality of recording sheets; in a case in which it is determinedthat the number of recording sheets per one set is larger than the upperlimit of the number of sheets for the saddle-stitching process, todisplay a plurality of options including a first option and a secondoption via a console section; in a case in which the first option isselected from among the plurality of options, to control the imageforming order so that image formation is performed firstly for the coversheet, and to control the post-processing apparatus to discharge theplurality of recording sheets without performing the saddle-stitchingprocess on the plurality of recording sheets; and in a case in which thesecond option is selected from among the plurality of options, tointerrupt the job without performing image formation.
 9. The printingapparatus according to claim 8, wherein the saddle-stitching processincludes a binding process and a folding process.
 10. The printingapparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a reading deviceconfigured to read one or more images on an original, wherein the imageforming device is configured to form the one or more images, which wereread by the reading device, on one or more recording sheets.
 11. Theprinting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the controller isconfigured to calculate the number of recording sheets per one set basedon a number of pages of the original read by the reading device.
 12. Theprinting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image formingdevice is configured to form images on both sides of a recording sheet.13. A method of controlling a printing apparatus that is connectable toa post-processing apparatus capable of performing a saddle-stitchingprocess, the method comprising: making a first determination, performedat least in part by a controller of the printing apparatus, that a firstnumber of recording sheets per one set for a first plurality ofrecording sheets is not larger than an upper limit of a number of sheetsfor the saddle-stitching process, the first plurality of recordingsheets including a cover sheet and a body sheet; controlling, performedat least in part by the controller of the printing apparatus and inresponse to making the first determination that the first number ofrecording sheets per one set for the first plurality of recording sheetsis not larger than the upper limit of the number of sheets for thesaddle-stitching process: (a) an image forming device of the printingapparatus to execute a first image forming order that includes imageformation performed lastly for the cover sheet of the first plurality ofrecording sheets, and (b) the post-processing apparatus to perform thesaddle-stitching process on the first plurality of recording sheets;making a second determination, performed at least in part by thecontroller of the printing apparatus, that a second number of recordingsheets per one set for a second plurality of recording sheets is largerthan the upper limit of the number of sheets for the saddle-stitchingprocess, the second plurality of recording sheets including a coversheet and a body sheet; controlling, performed at least in part by thecontroller of the printing apparatus and in response to making thesecond determination that the second number of recording sheets per oneset for the second plurality of recording sheets is larger than theupper limit of the number of sheets for the saddle-stitching process, tomake a first display a plurality of options including a first option anda second option via a console section; controlling, performed at leastin part by the controller of the printing apparatus and in response to aselection of the first option from among the plurality of options of thefirst display: (c) the image forming device of the printing apparatus toexecute a second image forming order that includes image formationperformed firstly for the cover sheet of the second plurality ofrecording sheets, and (d) the post-processing apparatus to discharge thesecond plurality of recording sheets without performing thesaddle-stitching process on the second plurality of recording sheets;making a third determination, performed at least in part by thecontroller of the printing apparatus, that a third number of recordingsheets per one set for a third plurality of recording sheets is largerthan the upper limit of the number of sheets for the saddle-stitchingprocess; controlling, performed at least in part by the controller ofthe printing apparatus and in response to making the third determinationthat the third number of recording sheets per one set for the thirdplurality of recording sheets is larger than the upper limit of thenumber of sheets for the saddle-stitching process, to make a seconddisplay the plurality of options including the first option and thesecond option via the console section; and controlling, performed atleast in part by the controller of the printing apparatus and inresponse to a selection of the second option from among the plurality ofoptions of the second display, to interrupt a job corresponding to thethird plurality of recording sheets without performing image formation.14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing acomputer-executable program for executing a method of controlling aprinting apparatus that is connectable to a post-processing apparatuscapable of performing a saddle-stitching process, the method comprising:making a first determination, performed at least in part by a controllerof the printing apparatus, that a first number of recording sheets perone set for a first plurality of recording sheets is not larger than anupper limit of a number of sheets for the saddle-stitching process, thefirst plurality of recording sheets including a cover sheet and a bodysheet; controlling, performed at least in part by the controller of theprinting apparatus and in response to making the first determinationthat the first number of recording sheets per one set for the firstplurality of recording sheets is not larger than the upper limit of thenumber of sheets for the saddle-stitching process: (a) an image formingdevice of the printing apparatus to execute a first image forming orderthat includes image formation performed lastly for the cover sheet ofthe first plurality of recording sheets, and (b) the post-processingapparatus to perform the saddle-stitching process on the first pluralityof recording sheets; making a second determination, performed at leastin part by the controller of the printing apparatus, that a secondnumber of recording sheets per one set for a second plurality ofrecording sheets is larger than the upper limit of the number of sheetsfor the saddle-stitching process, the second plurality of recordingsheets including a cover sheet and a body sheet; controlling, performedat least in part by the controller of the printing apparatus and inresponse to making the second determination that the second number ofrecording sheets per one set for the second plurality of recordingsheets is larger than the upper limit of the number of sheets for thesaddle-stitching process, to make a first display of a plurality ofoptions including a first option and a second option via a consolesection; controlling, performed at least in part by the controller ofthe printing apparatus and in response to a selection of the firstoption from among the plurality of options of the first display: (c) theimage forming device of the printing apparatus to execute a second imageforming order that includes image formation performed firstly for thecover sheet of the second plurality of recording sheets, and (d) thepost-processing apparatus to discharge the second plurality of recordingsheets without performing the saddle-stitching process on the secondplurality of recording sheets; making a third determination, performedat least in part by the controller of the printing apparatus, that athird number of recording sheets per one set for a third plurality ofrecording sheets is larger than the upper limit of the number of sheetsfor the saddle-stitching process; controlling, performed at least inpart by the controller of the printing apparatus and in response tomaking the third determination that the third number of recording sheetsper one set for the third plurality of recording sheets is larger thanthe upper limit of the number of sheets for the saddle-stitchingprocess, to make a second display the plurality of options including thefirst option and the second option via the console section; andcontrolling, performed at least in part by the controller of theprinting apparatus and in response to a selection of the second optionfrom among the plurality of options of the second display, to interrupta job corresponding to the third plurality of recording sheets withoutperforming image formation.